Letters: Time to ax 'Unpatriotic' Patriot Act

Re: “Data Deadline” [Opinion, April 19]: While the phony American flag-wavers in Congress are trying to extend most or all of the Patriot Act, it is time for we the American people to wake up and realize that there is nothing “patriotic” what so ever about this so called Patriot Act, which was hastily passed (the original bill was voted down almost a decade earlier in Congress) after the horrible 9/11 terrorist attacks – with most of Congress admitting that they did not even read it before voting to pass this not-so-patriotic act.

These so-called saviors in Washington, D.C. have created a situation where all American citizens are now considered to be potential domestic terrorists. The Patriot Act basically sheds our Constitution and Bill of Rights. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is leading the charge to extend the “war” on American’s personal freedoms. It is time to call your congress member and tell them no more Patriot Act.

Timothy C. Mason

Santa Ana

Patriot Act protects Americans

Re: “Data Deadline” [Opinion, April 19]: Conor Friedersdorf goes off on his periodic rant about the NSA surveillance tactics, invoking support for eliminating Section 215 of the Patriot Act that allows this surveillance.

I would ask that at some point in the future he cite for those of us who disagree with him one instance where someone’s privacy rights have been compromised to the point that some innocent citizen has been hurt. In exchange, I will be glad to cite many instances where terrorists have hurt our country and have run amok in other nations.

His hero (and the ACLU’s) is apparently Edward Snowden. My heroes include the firemen and others who saved lives from the burning towers destroyed by the very terrorists the NSA’s surveillance attempts to thwart. Possibly, if the NSA’s surveillance efforts had been in place at that time, those towers might still be standing.

I’m also tired of Friedersdorf’s lament that these surveillance efforts are ineffective because the NSA has not told him (and broadcast to the world) specific examples of successes. I suspect that there are clearance levels that he and his ACLU brethren do not have, where such details are not being revealed to him. Just because the NSA does not detail its successes does not mean they do not exist. And if the reasons why the NSA is reluctant to do this is not clear to him and the ACLU, then they obviously believe terrorists don’t read newspapers or watch TV.

The first time one of my emails is intercepted and this somehow impacts me and my privacy, I will certainly let him know. In the meantime, he should start writing about other topics and leave the defense of our country to the experts.

Jim Higgins

Huntington Beach

A solution in search of a problem

Brad Johnson’s article, “Time for a change” [Food, April 23], was a real put down to the men and women of the Orange County Health Department. The restaurant industry in Orange County is doing a great job. Their biggest problem is retaining customers as most of them are employees of companies that are fleeing to other states due to new regulations.

Today, our inspectors leave a “Pass,” a “Re-inspection Pass” or “closed” notification. Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties use letter grades. The other change that has been suggested is a color coded sign, which will add to the confusion.

As a multi-unit restaurant operator, I travel through all Southern California counties. The restaurants in Orange County are without question, the safest of all. The Health Department does a super job. Inspectors’ are sharp, well trained, courteous and fair. They teach and are helpful and search for violations. They search not only for unsanitary violations but also for “Serv-Safe” and “Food Handler” certifications that the California Restaurant Association endorses and the health department enforces.

I’m not opposed to change or new costs. But if solid, measurable improvement will not commensurate to the changes, then why do it? These changes won’t work. Posting nutritionals on menus got passed and has failed to reduce obesity, even a little bit. But, Johnson tells us the cost isn’t that much. Sure, not to him. It’s not his money.

And, as for the cost to the county of Orange, don’t worry. Orange County has had previous experience with bankruptcy.

The bottom line is that the Health Department no longer has the money to inspect more than once a year. So what do we do? Add to the costs by using a costly new letter-grade system. Good grief!

Don Phelps

Newport Coast

former board member, California Restaurant Association

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